Late Night Music LSU Is Terrible/Thanksgiving Edition Part 190......."Hey Is For Horses!"
Ok, so I am more than very aware that has been quite sometime since I graced your presence. Who would have thought that football season would literally take my creative time completely away? Oh well, here is a great Thanksgiving list for all of you out there who need to say “Hey!”.
In order to be considered in this category, the SONG TITLE had to have the word “Hey” somewhere in it. Also receiving votes in this category was “Hey You” by Pink Floyd, “Hey Fool” by Chinx, “Hey” by Toby Love, and “Hey Stephen” by Taylor Swift.
“Ho Hey”- The Lumineers. Denver Folk/Americana group The Lumineers start off this list with this catchy single from their self-titled 2013 debut album. This acoustic folk masterpiece really puts an exclamation point on their critically acclaimed album that earned them a Grammy nomination for both Best Americana Album (which itself would also peak at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart) and Best New Artist. This single peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and really gave music purists a sigh of relief that raw, talented artists actually exist in today’s music scene. I am going to go ahead and venture out on a limb and say that the Lumineers are the first band in the history of the Billboard Charts to have a single in the top 5 with group members that joined the band through a series of Craigslist ads. I would also add that it’s great to see an acoustic band sing about something happy instead of heartbreak and break ups. Take notes, Taylor Swift.
“Hey! Baby”- Ringo Starr. Ok, I know this isn’t the original version, but he’s a freaking Beatle! The interesting part about this is that the songwriter and original artist Bruce Channel actually performed one show with the Beatles in 1962 while they were still relatively unknown. John Lennon was so fascinated by his harmonica skills, that Channel gave him some tips- which were used on the Beatles hit song “Love Me Do”. Talk about the right place at the right time! Ringo’s go at this song proved not nearly as Channel’s #1 effort in 1962, as this version on Ringo’s 1974 album Ringo’s Rotogravure merely peaked at #74 on the Billboard Hot 100. It did, however, give us this pretty entertaining video which saw Starr do rather well as a leading man, which he was always gifted enough to do, but he was stuck behind the drum set in the biggest band of all time.
“Rock N’ Roll Part 2 (The Hey Song)”- Gary Glitter. This one was a slam dunk seeing how the only words in the song are “Hey” and “Hey”. I kinda had to include this one. This arena anthem for the ages put British glam rocker Gary Glitter on the map when it shot to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in support of his 1972 self-titled album. This song needs no introduction at most sporting events of all levels now, and the weirdness of Gary Glitter as a person makes it even more intriguing. One of Great Britain’s most infamous criminals, Glitter now spends his days in prison for numerous sex crime convictions.
“Hey There Delilah”- Plain White T’s. I freaking love this song! Chicago power punk Plain White Tees shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007 when this single from their album All That We Needed. This critically acclaimed and Grammy nominated song was actually inspired by American cross country runner Delilah DiCrescenzo after she briefly met lead singer and songwriter Tom Higgenson. Strangely enough, the two were never in a relationship and actually never knew each other that well. However, the impression she had on Higgenson was strong enough to write one of the most catchy tunes of the 2000’s as well as one of my favorite karaoke tracks ever.
“Hey Ya!”- Outkast. In 2003, Atlanta hip-hop duo Outkast was on top of the music world and definitely made everyone “shake it like a Polaroid picture” with their experimental and critically acclaimed album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below which was actually a double album of solo tracks from both artists. This single led off the album with this unbelievably entertaining video which features Andre 3000 in several parts. This single shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and re established Outkast as a hip hop juggernaut of epic proportions. This true diversity between tracks and musical styles that Outkast showed in this part of their career is truly mind boggling.
“Snow (Hey Oh)”- Red Hot Chili Peppers. Los Angeles’s very own kings of rock Red Hot Chili Peppers came back with a vengeance in 2006 with the release of their double album Stadium Arcadium, their first album of new material in 4 years. This single put an emphatic exclamation point on the band’s new image and new album when it peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks Chart. Lead singer Anthony Kiedis said that this song is about “starting over fresh” something that the band was definitely doing at this point of their illustrious careers. This video shows concert footage from the now closed Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me For Me)”- Blessid Union of Souls. Here’s one I bet you wouldn’t have thought of. This last big splash by Ohio’s Blessid Union of Souls (who got their name from an episode of M*A*S*H) became one of the catchiest songs of 1999 when it was included on their third album Walking Off The Buzz. This funny video which featured a newly bald Elliott Sloan and a bunch of goof balls who apparently she liked for them. This single peaked at #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the last waltz into on the chart for this otherwise very talented band that continues to still record and tour today. I have always wondered what Leonardo DiCaprio thought about this song.
“Hey, Soul Sister”- Train. Here is a song I can seriously never get sick of. Train seriously knocked it out of the park with this single from their 2009 album Save Me, San Francisco. Peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, this song brought Train back into the spotlight after a brief hiatus after the release of their commercially disappointing 2006 album For Me, It’s You. This “comeback” single was a noticed return to the band’s folk rock roots, as reference in the album title, which featured their hometown. This amazing song has some of the best lyrics Pat Monahan ever wrote. I had the fortune to see Train live in 2004 and was thoroughly impressed with their stage presence and talent that was very evident. This song would have been great to be included that night, but I am gonna ahead and say that it wasn’t even an idea yet for Monahan.
“Hey Julie”- Fountains of Wayne. Now here is a seriously underrated band. New York City’s Fountains of Wayne included this acoustic track on their critically acclaimed 2003 album Welcome Interstate Managers. This song was actually released as a single in the UK where it peaked at #57 on the British Singles Chart. These indie mainstays have created a loyal cult following of fans and critics alike that appreciates their comedy, diversity, and true talent.
“Hey Girl” - Gimme 5. Sometimes you have to just scratch your head. Filipino boy super pop group Gimme 5 did the whole Asian “sing all the song in another language excepet the title” trick and kept us wondering- what exactly are you guys “hey girl-in” about? This Asian hit was featured on their self-titled 2014 album of a genre that I love to say. Say it with me now, P-Pop.
“Hey”- Mitchel Musso. This Disney star of “Hannah Montana” and “Phineas and Ferb” made a name for himself when this single got some airplay and peaked at #70 on the Billboard Hot 100. This debut single from his self-titled 2009 album was ironic because it felt like he was introducing himself, but everyone on Radio Disney would probably already know who he is. Just walking out on a limb for that one. Does anyone else feel like they are listening to Drake Bell on this song?
“Hey Now”- Martin Solveig and the Cataracs feat. Kyle . French techno artist Martin Solveig just wanted to say “Hey Now” when this song shot on the scene in Europe with its obvious dance/techno roots. This song did well in Europe, topping out in Ireland where it peaked at #8. Seriously, why do we not have more songs like this in the USA? Wouldn’t people listen to this?
“Hey L.A.”- Ryan Beatty. This California bubble gum singer made a splash when this song that he had on iTunes (which has still yet to be released on an album that he claims is in production) was featured on an AT&T commercial against texting and driving. Honestly, I don’t even know why I included this song.
“Hey Brother”- Avicii feat. Dan Tyminski. Now here’s one I bet you forgot about. This protest song by Swedish DJ Avicii featuring American bluegrass singer Dan Tyminski got global appeal with this intriguing video and the strange combination of musicians. As a single on his 2013 album True, this single went to #1 in several European countries and peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song also made an appearance on the Billboard Country Charts as well as the charts in Australia and Brazil. Part of me is reminded of the Martina McBride video “Independence Day” with this video. That being said, I am always intrigued by someone who isn’t American protesting American actions in foreign wars. Not to say that is intentions aren’t good in this case, but it just seems odd for that to be done by a Swedish person. Maybe it’s just me.
“Hey Lover”- LL Cool J feat. Boyz II Men. This Grammy winning 1995 slow jam by hip hop legend LL Cool J with the help of soul mega stars Boyz II Men shot to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in support of the rapper’s album Mr. Smith. This track seems to be a bit ahead of its time, as the trend of singers collaborating with rappers on the same track was something that was still in a bit of an experimental phase. The slow jam feel to this song and the really cool video gave LL Cool J the spark he needed to return to the mainstream -a place where he finds himself quite often whether it be music, movies, or TV.
BONUS VIDEOS- “Let Me Take You There”- Plain White T’s.
“Aeroplane”- Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)”- Train.
“I Want To Be There”- Blessid Union of Souls.
“Roses”- Outkast.
Plain White T's
Fountains of Wayne
The Lumineers
OutKast
Blessid Union of Souls
posted by General 5A Pigott at 12:02 AM
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